CHRISTMAS
                     CHRISTMAS
WHEN IS CHRISTMAS?
• Christmas, also known as the 'Feast day of 
Christ', is celebrated on December 25 every 
year. The day marks the birthday of Jesus 
Christ.
Source: www.business-standard.com 2
WHAT IS CHRISTMAS?
• This festival is celebrated across the globe as a 
religious holiday, and as a time of celebration 
by Christians. 
• It is also celebrated by non-Christians as a 
seasonal holiday. All schools, colleges, 
universities, offices and other government and 
non-governmental organisations remain closed 
on this day.
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How is Christmas 
celebrated?
• Christians and non-Christians participate in 
some of the most popular Christmas traditions, 
many of which have no origins in Christianity. 
Source: www.britannica.com 4
Origin
• The early Christian community distinguished 
between the identification of the date of Jesus’ 
birth and the liturgical celebration of that 
event. The actual observance of the day of 
Jesus’ birth was long in coming.
Source: www.britannica.com 5
Christmas Around the World:
France
• In many regions in France, Christmas 
celebrations start with St Nicholas day on the 
6th of December.
• Many cities in France are decorated during the 
weeks leading up to Christmas and children 
love to open the 24 little windows of their 
Advent calendar.
Source: www.kids-world-travel-guide.com 6
Christmas around the World:
Italy
• In Italy, a nativity scene, a ‘presepe’, is usually 
put up in churches, town squares and often in 
homes. This is for many the most important 
part of the Christmas decorations. 
Source: www.kids-world-travel-guide.com 7
Christmas in Germany
• In the weeks leading up to Christmas, festive 
Christmas markets are set up on main squares 
in many cities. 
Source: www.kids-world-travel-guide.com 8
Christmas in England
• In England, most people start with Christmas 
decorations early, that is as early as mid of 
November. Many families decorate their houses 
with lots of fairy lights and sparkling displays.
Source: www.kids-world-travel-guide.com 9
How was December 25th 
chosen for Christmas?
• In the early years of Christianity, Easter was 
the main holiday; the birth of Jesus was not 
celebrated. In the fourth century, church 
officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus 
as a holiday. 
• However, the Bible does not mention the date 
for his birth. According to some historians, 
Jesus may have been born in the spring. Pope 
Julius I chose December 25.
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Etymology of Christmas
• The word Christmas is derived from two English 
words, 'Christ' and 'Mass' in which ‘Christ’ 
means ‘Christian’ and ‘mass’ means ‘people’.
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Origin of Santa Claus?
• The legend of Santa Claus can be traced back 
to a monk named St Nicholas who was born in 
Turkey around 280 AD. 
• St Nicholas gave away all of his inherited 
wealth and traveled the countryside helping 
the poor and sick, becoming known as the 
protector of children and sailors.
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